2023 Top Ten Fantasy Football Running Back Handcuffs
Yes, we’re ranking backup running backs today in fantasy football. It’s just the way the sport is trending. The smart fantasy people are trending towards zero RB and trying to find those late diamonds in the rough at the position. With that in mind, why not rank the best backup running back options that you should target in fantasy?
10: Tyjae Spears (Tennessee Titans)
Derrick Henry is a load but he’s been hurt before. If Henry were to go down, I think Spears has a ton of potential as a fantasy asset. I really liked the player coming out of Tulane. In long term leagues, he might even be the starter there down the line.
You’re probably not rushing to go add Spears in redraft leagues but it’s something to keep in mind.
9: Elijah Mitchell / Jordan Mason (San Francisco 49ers)
The same thing kinda applies except it’s amplified. You want stock in a Kyle Shanahan rushing attack. It’s a great place to be. If Christian McCaffrey goes down, Mitchell and Mason are two great adds. Of course, they’re lower on the list because McCaffrey owns this backfield and if he goes down it becomes really muddy.
8: Damien Harris (Buffalo Bills)
James Cook is the guy now in Buffalo, but Damien Harris is a really nice insurance piece. The former Alabama product averaged 4.7 yards per carry during his time with the Patriots. He’s no slouch and is now inserted on a really strong offense. You can do worse than Harris as your backup and investing in Bills stock is a smart way to go.
7: Antonio Gibson (Washington Commanders)
I’m still not positive that Gibson is good. However, he should still be very involved in this offense. Especially if the Commanders are trailing, Gibson should be that passing game outlet to rack up points. I don’t love Gibson but he should still be that jack of all trades guy and get his touches.
6: David Montgomery (Detroit Lions)
David Montgomery is on the cheese list for a reason. He’s ranked way too high. WIth that said, he still has some value as a handcuff. He’s going to fill that Jamaal Williams role and be the hammer for this Lions offense. They paid him a decent chunk of change too.
5: Devon Achane (Miami Dolphins)
Now we’re getting to the range that I really like. The guys with serious upside that might not even need an injury to be fantasy relevant. From five on down, this is the list I’m really targeting in drafts.
Achane is the most talented running back in this Dolphins backfield. You can’t teach the speed he has. I just find it hard to believe that you’re going to keep that guy off the field. This was a player I loved coming out of college and comped him to poor man Chris Johnson.
Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson are both injury questions. Achane will affect the passing game regardless. It’s also an explosive offense you want fantasy players in. I’ll buy here.
4: Tank Bigsby (Jacksonville Jaguars)
I don’t know who needs to hear this but Tank Bigsby is better than Travis Etienne. It’s just a fact. If you disagree, feel free to screenshot me and come chat with me a year from now. You’re all in for a rude awakening.
Bigsby is a total hammer and reports are already suggesting that he’s going to be very involved in this offense from day one. The former Auburn product is also on track to steal all of the touchdowns.
Again, this is another team that’s on the up with Trevor Lawrence. Jacksonville should have leads and should win the AFC South again. I’ll take Tank in this spot without hesitation.
3: Kenneth Gainwell (Philadelphia Eagles)
I’ll say the same thing I said in the last bio. I don’t know who needs to hear this but Kenneth Gainwell is better than Rashaad Penny. There is a reason why Gainwell didn’t play in the first preseason game. This Eagles backfield is going to be a committee, but Gainwell and Swift are going to be the focal part of the backfield. Penny is your insurance piece that can’t stay healthy regardless.
Gainwell is damn good. The former Memphis product has nine career rushing touchdowns in 121 attempts while averaging 4.4 yards per carry. He also has another 56 career receptions under his belt through two years in the league. Gainwell would have went much higher in the draft if he didn’t sit out during the COVID year at Memphis.
You can listen to me or not. I don’t really care. This is a team that just went to the Super Bowl and Gainwell is going to be very involved. If you think Penny is better than that guy, I’m not sure how to help you.
2: AJ Dillon (Green Bay Packers)
I talked about Dillon a lot in the OnlyFans post. I see a Brandon Jacobs like trajectory for him. He’s way more involved in the passing game than you would think. He’s becoming the Packers touchdown hog. I think this team will win the NFC North and rely on the ground game to help Jordan Love out.
Also, at some point Aaron Jones is going to age. Dillon is in a contract year and should be in the midst of his RB prime. I think now is the time to bite. Even if Jones is still playing up to par, Dillon gets his touches regardless and he’s never missed a game at the NFL level.
1: Dalvin Cook (New York Jets)
I don’t think there is any question that Dalvin Cook is the most qualified backup running back in the league now. I went over this a lot in a post I just did. It might be a tricky backfield to figure out, but we’re still talking about Dalvin Cook. What more do you want me to say? Support the site and click the link for more there.
